At this time of year when the autumn colours are the focus of many gardens, often it is the trees that take centre stage, but let's not forget the many shrubs that offer similar features on a smaller scale.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Shrubs that colour well in autumn include Aronia sp. (chokeberry); Viburnum plicatum cultivars; Cotinus coggygria (several cultivars including Velvet Cloak, Grace, Royal Purple & Flame); Mollis azaleas (deciduous azaleas); Ceratostigma willmottianum; Enkianthus campanulatus and perulatus; Hydrangea quercifolia; Euonymus alatus (spindle or burning bush); Nandina domestica (eg cultivars "Nana", "Moon Bay" & "Gulf Stream") and many of the Acer palmatum cultivars (eg "Osakazuki" and "Fireglow").
Many of these shrubs, for example Viburnums and Aronia, also put on a show of berries that last through the winter (or until the birds find them).
If you have ordered deciduous trees, shrubs, roses or fruit trees for planting as bare-roots in July and August, you can start preparing the ground for them now, which will give them a better chance, especially if you are not exactly sure when your plants will arrive.
Read more:
You can do this several months before planting the shrub/tree, but even preparing a few weeks before planting will help them establish. Dig a generous sized hole about twice as wide as, but no deeper than the roots, to accommodate the roots without cramming them in. Break up the bottom of the hole to loosen the subsoil but don't bring any of it to the surface. Put plenty of well composted manure or organic matter in the hole and work it into the soil in the bottom.
Then put the rest of the soil back in the hole and leave it to decompose until your trees / shrubs arrive. It will be easy to dig out again and will be enriched ready to nurture the roots of your new plant. Don't add any fertilizer at this stage.
Now that frosts have commenced, it's time to mulch. During winter, the point of mulching is to maintain the soil at an even temperature and keep plants in hibernation.
Leaves from deciduous trees also make good mulch and you can simply rake them onto your flower beds. To mulch trees, make a well around the tree trunk and leave an area of about 20cm between the tree trunk and the mulch. When mulching, don't pile mulch up to the trunk or you will create an area for diseases.
The next meeting of the Armidale Garden Club is likely to be on Thursday 25 June, at 7:00 pm in the Uniting Church Youth Club Hall.
We will keep you all posted.
